Lights are on for Christmas in Bucharest

6 December 2012 · Updated 12 August 2026 · 1 min read

The 2.7 million LED lights meant to revive the holiday spirit, as well as save the Romanian capital some money on its electricity bill this year, were switched on last night (Wednesday, December 5 ), during a ceremony in Universitate Square. The Christmas lights are in the central areas of Magheru, Nicolae Bălcescu, I. C. Brătianu, Unirii, The Palace of Parliament, Lascăr Catargiu and Regina Elisabeta, Şoseaua Kiseleff, Victoriei Square, Calea Victoriei, the Old Town, Constituţiei Square, the King's Square, the George Enescu square and kilometer zero, Universitate square. A 16-meter tall Christmas tree was installed in the middle of the Christmas market at Universitate Square. Lights will be turned on in the other central areas of Bucharest tonight (Thursday, December 6).

In total, 22 million ornaments were used to decorate Bucharest for this winter season, while in the Universitate square, 3,000 colored lights and around one kilometer of illuminated wreath were installed. The buildings around the Christmas market location – above the newly opened underground car park – were decorated with colored projections last night. The Christmas market includes 65 house – shaped stalls around the Christmas tree, as well as a small carousel. At the fair, buyers can find anything from traditional food, sweets, hot wine to decorative items and traditional clothing. For the first time, the Bucharest Christmas Market was included in the official network of Christmas Markets in Europe.